On June 23, 2025, former presidential adviser to President Bola Tinubu, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, challenged the popular narrative that northern politicians solely drive political coalitions aimed at unseating southern leaders.
Speaking on Arise Television, Baba-Ahmed dismissed claims that northern politicians always gang up to form alliances whenever a southerner is in power.
Southern Politicians Also Key Players
Baba-Ahmed named prominent southern politicians involved in the current opposition coalition led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
He highlighted figures such as Governor Rotimi Amaechi and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as active participants.
According to him, many southerners are deeply invested in these coalition talks.
Motivated by a desire not to be politically sidelined by the north.
“They love the south too; they don’t want to be second to the north,” Baba-Ahmed said.
Emphasizing that coalition-building is not a phenomenon exclusive to northern politicians.
Tinubu’s Role in Past Coalitions
Baba-Ahmed recalled the coalition that defeated Goodluck Jonathan’s government in 2015.
Which led to Muhammadu Buhari’s presidency.
He stressed that this coalition includes significant southern involvement, particularly from Bola Tinubu himself, not just northern interests.
“We formed a coalition in 2011/2012 with a southerner.
His name is President Tinubu now,” Baba-Ahmed stated.
He explained that the alliance between the Action Congress (AC) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) created the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Illustrating that coalitions involving both north and south have always existed.
Coalition Efforts Criticized as Self-Serving
Despite his defense of southern involvement, Baba-Ahmed criticized the current opposition coalition’s leadership.
He described their efforts as disappointing and self-serving, lacking a genuine national vision.
He lamented that many coalition leaders, who have held high offices including governorships and vice-presidency.
They have failed to inspire confidence or present a credible alternative to Tinubu’s administration.
“These are individuals who have been governors, vice-presidents, and ministers.
Some have contested for the presidency three times.
Now they are asking Nigerians, ‘Trust us again.’ But Nigerians can see through that. They do not represent a different future,” he said.
Coalition Politics: A Never-Ending Game?
He insists that southerners equally involve themselves in coalition politics, exposing the complexity behind political alliances.
Yet, his critique of the opposition coalition’s leadership raises questions about the sincerity and effectiveness of their efforts to unseat the current government.
Is this coalition truly about national progress, or do its members just struggle for power under political opposition?
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